STOP assuming its over and READ THIS

As gun owners we need to STOP this pessimistic attitude IMMEDIATELY that a new "ban" is going to take place. Lately I've been hearing casual talk like "when the new ban goes into effect" and "the coming ban" etc, as if this is already a done deal. WAKE UP, because its not! That kind of attitude leads to complacency!

We all need to realize that since the last "ban" expired, this industry has grown tremendously and there are millions of new law-abiding, responsible gun owners out there just like you!

You MUST take 3 minutes out of your day from searching for guns, magazine, parts etc, and take that time to WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES at all levels of government. Local, state and most importantly at the federal level. Think LONG TERM! Thats how the other side operates and we need to as well.

#1) If your representatives are on the other side of the isle, WHO CARES, they still need to hear from you. Even if you are in a district where your representative does not agree with you, lets say under normal conditions 3% of responses on gun issues they get are against gun control. Now lets say because of you and your friends that number jumps to 5%, 10% or 15%+. Regardless if a higher % disagree, it will still be reported to them by their staffers as a new development/trend and it might just make them soften their stance; a softened stance is better than its prior state.

#2) You must understand that your actual representatives will likely NOT read your letter/email. HOWEVER their STAFFERS will read them. This is a NUMBERS GAME.

#3) The staffers keep simple counts for their bosses (your representatives) of how many emails/letters came in FOR or AGAINST additional gun control legislation. The more emails/letters AGAINST new gun control legislation vs. those for it will make your representative think before voting for some new piece of legislation that will have zero effect and will just further impede law abiding owners rights.

#4) Keep your email/letter short and simple. ONE or TWO sentences MAX. Simply state your position and note that you will be encouraging your friends/family and anyone you can talk to, to vote them out of office if they vote for it.

#5) Don't let the other side shout our side down. Make your voice heard.

The consequences of NOT acting will lead to long term repercussions.

Do you want to be FINGERPRINTED and PHOTOGRAPHED like a common criminal or not be able to will your private property to your heirs? You should be OUTRAGED and OFFENDED by the suggestion!

DONATE AND HELP TO THE FAMILIES OF NEWTOWN: http://newtownmemorialfund.org/

PLEASE ALL READERS:

REPOST THIS EVERYWHERE AND EMAIL IT YOUR YOUR FRIENDS/FAMILY!

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JustinJ

December 28, 2012, 06:20 PM

I have a very close family member who served as sec of press for a senator. Don't waste your time or theirs by getting preachy, lecturing or making statements that most people see as extreme. You won't be taken seriously.

Saying "the constitution protects my right to firearms" is much better than "i get to have guns in case i some day need to overthrow the government".

Siaharok

December 28, 2012, 07:09 PM

I wish there were more threads like this on THR. Actually, I wish all of the threads were like this right now. If everyone on THR wrote their representatives, we'd have a lot less to worry about.

Remember: The antis are riled up and THEY are writing. Have you written yet?

KTXdm9

December 28, 2012, 07:12 PM

Excellent first post Joel.

joel2209k

December 28, 2012, 07:17 PM

Also I think the rules for what gets posted where on forums should be suspended for stuff like this. The high traffic forums, like ar15's etc, is where everyone is going to look for parts etc. These kind of posts need exposure there. We all need to re-focus our attention for a few minutes on this subject and look at the larger objective than just fulfilling the next AR build.

MacGuyver77

December 28, 2012, 11:23 PM

I emailed mine again. continue to let them know.

Grassman

December 28, 2012, 11:27 PM

Big +1 Joel.....I keep hearing the BS at gun shops like its happening tomorrow. I'm a little sick of it.

Onmilo

December 29, 2012, 02:57 AM

OP is assuming that everyone else is assuming which makes asses out of everyone...

I have been saying this all along. This is FAR from being a done deal. The people screaming for this are the same people who never stopped. They have a lame duck session and desperately want a distraction from budget talks.

This is a propaganda war. We shouldn't be letting them convince US. They are trying to change the minds of fence sitters. If they have US convinced it's already over, we are giving them half the fight. DON'T DO IT.

Nothing has changed here. We ALWAYS need to stay on top of our reps. I'm not having any conversations with mine I didn't already have with them during the election cycle. This is not something you just do when a crisis pops up. You ALWAYS need to pay attention. You ALWAYS need to support the NRA/ILA.

Pick the pieces of sky up and put them where they dropped from. You will be lean on guns, magazines, and ammo for a while. This is a contest of wills. We are tougher. Don't crack up because Feinstein starts pushing for a ban even more outrageous than the one no one would pay attention to since 2004.

DogLegArms

December 29, 2012, 03:28 AM

Email and call both your US and state congressmen.

danez71

December 29, 2012, 10:25 AM

I wish there were more threads like this on THR. Actually, I wish all of the threads were like this right now. If everyone on THR wrote their representatives, we'd have a lot less to worry about.

Remember: The antis are riled up and THEY are writing. Have you written yet?

Every bit as true as the OP.

Simply put....

Stop wasting time complaining to other like minded web-friends about something hasnt happened yet and do something constructive to prevent it from happening.

castile

December 29, 2012, 10:34 AM

Here is my take. Let me preface this by saying I am a social Liberal. I believe in pro choice, keeping abortion safe and legal, I believe in a national health care system, and Medicare and caid. Social Security and the lot. But that said I also believe in keeping guns legal and no bans. I go to history to see how things can play out. Clinton had to pull a lot of strings to get the 94 crime bill passed. Even then it was only passed by two votes. And that was with a majority in the house and senate. Then in the mid terms the Democrats took an ass whooping that has not been seen since 2010. Many old time Dem's went home for good. This is still remembered by many in Washington. The house is not passing a compromise that will keep us from going off the cliff, so do you really think they are going to go with a gun ban? Time will make this go in the back ground, just as the fiscal cliff has dwarfed it already. Unless there is another or more shootings with an AR or some HC Glock ect. I really think that the bills that do get introduced will be shot down in the house. It may pass the senate but I doubt that any speaker will bring them up for a vote. In two years I doubt that this will be driving the political scene, that said, if some other idiot goes out and shoots up a school all bets are off the table. I will not pay 2500 for an AR. Its outrageous.

Ryanxia

December 29, 2012, 10:39 AM

Yes everyone needs to write their Senators, representatives and even governors today to stop this and any other attempts in the near future dead in their tracks.

I've written my reps and donated extra money to the NRA-ILA. You all should too (make sure it's the ILA fund)

mag41uk

December 29, 2012, 11:17 AM

Well said Joel. Probably the most sensible thing I have read on this forum.
As a Brit having gone through the aftermath of the Dunblane shootings I can categorically say its a numbers/political game.
I went to see my local member of parliament and he said to me he had more letters supporting shooters than against so he was supportive of us.
I even wrote to Prince Phillip and he was supportive.
Unfortunately for us shooters it happened right at a general election and we never stood a chance.
Its imperative that you bombard your representatives irespective of being Dems or Repub.
You need to get support from all sides.
I lurk here and take a look at how many members actually read the threads or respond.
Its pityfully few I`m afraid.
Your Reps need to be awash in letters from shooters.
Emails are OK but you cant beat a handwritten letter,it shows you have taken some extra effort.
I have no doubt that some form of ban will take place in the US.
And apathy from gun owners will be a major factor.
Sounds harsh doesnt it?
Get fired up guys,support your NRA...........even I have donated to them!

ol' scratch

December 29, 2012, 02:29 PM

Done. I have wanted to do that for a while, but it has been crazy at work.

gdcpony

December 29, 2012, 04:04 PM

I did contact again. All of them.

ToraBoraBlues

December 29, 2012, 07:07 PM

Bump. Contacting my reps from my home state and the reps where I'm stationed. I only vote in one area (maybe I can get ACORN to help me with that, haha) but nothing says I can't get involved where I'm stationed.

Byrd666

December 29, 2012, 07:28 PM

Need to keep this for the contact info.

EBK

December 29, 2012, 07:29 PM

I have already sent things to my state reps. Thing is those people are gonna do what THEY want to do regardless of the letters were sent and never read or skimmed over at best.
Sending letters seems to be about as usefull as an extra hole in my head.

They make the decisions and we have to deal with them thats how it works and they have decided it will be so it will be. not much can be done about it.

This may sound as if I have given up, This is not true I just understand the reality of it.

they will get together and decide on what THEY want not want the american people want.

KLL

December 29, 2012, 07:33 PM

I have already sent things to my state reps. Thing is those people are gonna do what THEY want to do regardless of the letters were sent and never read or skimmed over at best.
Sending letters seems to be about as usefull as an extra hole in my head.

They make the decisions and we have to deal with them thats how it works and they have decided it will be so it will be. not much can be done about it.

This may sound as if I have given up, This is not true I just understand the reality of it.

they will get together and decide on what THEY want not want the american people want.
I think this is true to some extent, however this is one of those issues that can cost a politician his or her job, and I think they know the pro-gun crowd is very organized and doesn't quickly forget who sells us out. That's why it is so important that we all contact them, a few people are easy to ignore, tens or hundreds of thousands of their constituents are not so easy to blow off.

joel2209k

January 2, 2013, 08:23 PM

Folks - again, its a NUMBERS GAME.

Sure, you may not get a response, or a reply you like, or a form letter response... whatever.... the reps do not read their emails; their staffers do. They tally totals of "supports" and "does not support" for any particular issue. Any movement in an upwards direction on our side, even with a district rep that does NOT support our views, DOES cause them to "soften"... again that's better than not!

joel2209k

January 2, 2013, 08:25 PM

whoops sorry for the double post

Atbat82

January 2, 2013, 08:53 PM

Email and call both your US and state congressmen

+1 This! Don't forget the state reps.

gym

January 2, 2013, 09:04 PM

Been saying this for a month now. Actually I got a resonce from one FL rep. letting me know I was not in his district. I replyed, that he should still be made aware of this as it goes beyond districts. These guys are worried about the people who elected them, if you let them know, they will pay attention.

Hokkmike

January 2, 2013, 09:21 PM

Good post. It is called backbone folks!

BSnyder

January 2, 2013, 10:01 PM

Thanks Joel. I just got done emailing all my representatives. I'm usually the guy that says "Ah, I'll let everyone else handle it." Not this time, not now. Everybody needs to be doing this.

phil dirt

January 2, 2013, 11:34 PM

I don't know if this is the right approach or not, but I told my reps that if they vote against my gun rights I would not forget, and they should be absolutely certain that I would actively work to defeat them the next time they ran for office. Of course, living in Seattle, my senators and congressman are very anti-gun.

bender01

January 2, 2013, 11:53 PM

There should be an easy button for this! I did it in 5 minutes!!
Thanks

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